React Feature Flags

Flag Files

| File | Purpose |

|------|---------|

| packages/shared/ReactFeatureFlags.js | Default flags (canary), __EXPERIMENTAL__ overrides |

| packages/shared/forks/ReactFeatureFlags.www.js | www channel, __VARIANT__ overrides |

| packages/shared/forks/ReactFeatureFlags.native-fb.js | React Native, __VARIANT__ overrides |

| packages/shared/forks/ReactFeatureFlags.test-renderer.js | Test renderer |

Gating Tests

@gate pragma (test-level)

Use when the feature is completely unavailable without the flag:

// @gate enableViewTransition
it('supports view transitions', () => {
  // This test only runs when enableViewTransition is true
  // and is SKIPPED (not failed) when false
});

gate() inline (assertion-level)

Use when the feature exists but behavior differs based on flag:

it('renders component', async () => {
  await act(() => root.render(<App />));

  if (gate(flags => flags.enableNewBehavior)) {
    expect(container.textContent).toBe('new output');
  } else {
    expect(container.textContent).toBe('legacy output');
  }
});

Adding a New Flag

• Add to ReactFeatureFlags.js with default value
• Add to each fork file (.www.js, .native-fb.js, etc.)
• If it should vary in www/RN, set to __VARIANT__ in the fork file
• Gate tests with @gate flagName or inline gate()

Checking Flag States

Use /flags to view states across channels. See the flags skill for full command options.

__VARIANT__ Flags (GKs)

Flags set to __VARIANT__ simulate gatekeepers - tested twice (true and false):

/test www <pattern>              # __VARIANT__ = true
/test www variant false <pattern> # __VARIANT__ = false

Debugging Channel-Specific Failures

• Run /flags --diff to compare values
• Check @gate conditions - test may be gated to specific channels
• Run /test to isolate the failure
• Verify flag exists in all fork files if newly added

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting both variants - Always test www AND www variant false for __VARIANT__ flags
• Using @gate for behavior differences - Use inline gate() if both paths should run
• Missing fork files - New flags must be added to ALL fork files, not just the main one
• Wrong gate syntax - It's gate(flags => flags.name), not gate('name')